Botswana MP warns region heading for war over Mugabe

Botswana MP warns region heading for war over Mugabe

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By Staff Reporter

A TOP Botswana academic and a Member of Parliament have warned that Southern Africa could be engulfed in war if President Robert Mugabe's regime is not confronted about its human rights violations.

Gaborone West North legislator, Paul Rantao and Professor Kenneth Good warned this week that Botswana's "silent diplomacy" could "lead to serious civil disorder and war psychosis".

Mugabe who turns 81 in two weeks has been in power for 25 years and his policies are blamed for the millions of Zimbabweans who have poured into neighbouring countries, mainly South Africa and Botswana in search of jobs and better life.

In an interview with Botswana's top selling Mmegi newspaper, the two warned that the problem of migrants, and how to deal with them which could trigger civil unrest. They also said instead iof deporting Zimbabwe immigrants, Botswana could do well to tackle the governance crisis in Harare.

“Botswana is heading for serious civil unrest and even war, but our government seems not to care," Rantao is quoted as saying. "There are always clashes of Batswana and Zimbabweans; this tells you that something somewhere is wrong."

“What members of the Botswana Police and Defence Forces always do is a Ping Pong exercise because it is like a circle. They deport the Zimbabweans today and tomorrow they are back.

"This wild session of chasing them like impalas and kudus is a game and it must stop. The question that we should ask ourselves is, has that yielded our country any meaningful results? Definitely not. What we always do is to spend a lot of money deporting them.

“I think our government must be vocal on this. It must start at local and then international level. At the local level, it must start at our Parliament and as legislators we must speak up. Internationally our country should consult with organisations like Southern African Development Community and even African Union to see how this situation can be best dealt with. I see that as the only viable way. We cannot keep on chasing the Zimbabweans away and be silent. It will not work,” he said.

Rantao emphasised that once the international bodies are consulted, Botswana should then seek mediation from one of the neighbouring countries. He said some countries face similar challenges and neighbouring countries normally mediate.

Good attacked President Festus Mogae, Vice President Ian Khama and Foreign Affairs Minister, Mompati Merafhe, saying they should fully exercise their powers to deal with the Zimbabwean immigration issue. To his surprise, the three have been silent on the matter.

He compared the trio’s stance to that of South African President Thabo Mbeki who never says a thing about Zimbabwean problems even though they are heavily affecting his country.

“Mogae’s leadership of silent diplomacy is affecting this country negatively, and considering that this country is small, the consequences might be even bigger. I think Mogae, Khama and Merafhe must stand up.”

Good urged Mogae to meet his Zimbabwean counterpart, President Robert Mugabe because the previous meetings between junior officials have failed to produce results.

“I think the two presidents must meet and discuss this situation. During the SADC meeting in Mauritius last year, I thought Mogae would hold talks with Mugabe, but he was silent and I was really surprised.”
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